Dorchester County Public Schools -

📢Important Update: Strengthening School Safety at DCPS

Dorchester County Public Schools is enhancing school safety by adopting the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) from the "I Love You Guys" Foundation. Recommended by the Maryland Center for School Safety, this protocol will replace A.L.I.C.E. for ALL emergency situations, making our schools safer than ever.

In March, 28 dedicated DCPS staff members completed intensive instructor training and are now nationally certified to teach this life-saving protocol. Moving forward, the Standard Response Protocol will be fully integrated into every aspect of our School Safety plan.

We are committed to keeping our students and staff safe—together, we’re building a stronger, safer DCPS community.💙

🔗 Learn more about the Standard Response Protocol at iloveuguys.org/

🎉Dorchester County Public Schools is excited to welcome Ms. Melanie Holliday as the new Assistant Principal of Hurlock Elementary School!

With over 20 years of experience in education spanning both elementary and middle school, Ms. Holliday is passionate about helping students grow academically and personally. She is always eager to collaborate and learn alongside fellow educators.

A proud graduate of North Dorchester High School, she says, “Becoming an Eagle again feels like coming home in the best possible way!”

When she's not at school, Ms. Holliday loves enjoying the outdoors and reading—especially when she can combine the two. Her greatest adventure? Motherhood. Over the past few years, she’s traveled to Montana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia to support her children at graduations and celebrations, making motherhood her most rewarding journey yet.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Ms. Melanie Holliday to Hurlock Elementary! We know she will help our Mighty Eagles soar to success!🦅✨

A new school year brings new changes and additions to leadership for Dorchester County Public Schools, and we want to introduce you to some new and familiar faces around the county! Stay tuned over the next several weeks as we showcase some of our new leaders who are taking on new and exciting roles this upcoming school year!

🎉To kick it all off, Dorchester County Public Schools is proud to announce Ms. Kesha Cook as the new Principal of Mace's Lane Middle School!

Ms. Cook shares with us, "I am looking forward to the many opportunities to build positive relationships, learn, grow and promote student achievement."

With 24 years of dedicated experience in education, Ms. Cook brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our school community. When she’s not inspiring students and staff, her favorite way to spend free time is with her family. One of her greatest adventures? Swimming in the beautiful Baltic Sea! 🌊

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Cook to Mace's Lane Middle School! Here’s to a bright future ahead for our Tigers! 🐅🌟

DCPS Seeks Public Input on a Proposed Update to our Cell Phone Policy

Dorchester County Public Schools invites students, parents, teachers, and community members to provide feedback on a proposed update to our cell phone policy aimed at improving the learning environment in schools.

Over the past year, the district conducted a pilot program in select schools to test various approaches to cell phone use during the school day. The pilot provided valuable insights into what was needed to update the current policy.

THE DRAFTED POLICY https://5il.co/3lzgo outlines guidelines for cell phone use during school hours as well as consequences for misuse. The district hopes the policy will help minimize distractions in the classroom.

The district is requesting your input about the changes by August 15, 2025. Community members can submit their feedback via email to Nancy Harrington at harringtonn@dcpsmd.org.

✉️You're invited to a free family fun pool night! Join PEP and Moving Dorchester County Forward for an evening of dinner, laughter, and fun family time!

📍 Location: Dorchester County Pool, 105 Virginia Ave, Cambridge, MD 21613
📅 When: Sunday, August 17 from 6:30-8:30pm
🎉 Activities: Food, pool time, music, and family fun
✔️Please RSVP by August 10th! Space is limited
🔗RSVP link: http://bit.ly/4o6g1DU

Let’s make waves and memories together! Can’t wait to see you poolside! 💦

Questions? Please contact Tenishia at tenishia.tillery@PEPparent.org

DCPS Seeks Public Input on a Proposed Update to our Cell Phone Policy

Dorchester County Public Schools invites students, parents, teachers, and community members to provide feedback on a proposed update to our cell phone policy aimed at improving the learning environment in schools.

Over the past year, the district conducted a pilot program in select schools to test various approaches to cell phone use during the school day. The pilot provided valuable insights into what was needed to update the current policy.

THE DRAFTED POLICY https://5il.co/3lzgo outlines guidelines for cell phone use during school hours as well as consequences for misuse. The district hopes the policy will help minimize distractions in the classroom.

The district is requesting your input about the changes by August 15, 2025. Community members can submit their feedback via email to Nancy Harrington at harringtonn@dcpsmd.org.

Not all heroes wear capes, sometimes they wear a DCPS Food Services uniform! 💙🍎

This summer, our amazing Dorchester County Public Schools Food Services team is packaging 7 days of breakfast and lunch meals for children and teens 18 and younger through our DCPS Summer Meals Program. Every Tuesday, our mobile refrigerated trucks deliver these meals to numerous distribution sites throughout the county, serving between 500-600 students each week!

Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we’re making sure our young learners have the nutritious meals they need to stay healthy and energized all summer long. Even on the hottest days, you'll see one of our incredible Food Services team members serving with a smile!

Here’s to the real heroes who nourish our community—one meal at a time! 🌟🍽️